Coin-handling device



July 8, 1969 I F. ERICKSON 3,

' COIN-HANDLING DEVICE :Filed March 15. 1967 Sheet of 3 voe f1; .5

INVENTOR. Gus Tariff/ Jo July 8, 1969 F. ERICKSON COIN'HANDLING DEVICE Fiied March 13. 1967 Sheet 3 hrs United States Patent 3,454,146 COIN-HANDLING DEVICE Gustav F. Erickson, St. Louis County, Mo., assignor to National Rejectors, Inc., St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Filed Mar. 13, 1967, Ser. No. 622,616 Int. Cl. G07f 3/02 US. Cl. 194-97 17 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A coin which has milling at the periphery thereof can be separated from a coin or slug which does not have milling at the periphery thereof by providing a passageway that has an element adjacent thereto which must be engaged and moved by coins or slugs passing through that passageway and by using that element to retard the movement of the coin which has milling at the periphery thereof sufficiently to cause that coin to enter an accepted chute and by using that element to permit coins and slugs which do not have milling at the periphery thereof to retain enough speed to enter a rejected coin chute.

This invention relates to improvements in coin-handling devices. More particularly, this invention relates to improvements in coin-handling devices that can separate coins which have milling at the peripheries thereof from coins or slugs which do not have milling at the peripheries thereof.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved coin-handling device that can separate a coin which has milling at the periphery thereof from coins or slugs which do not have milling at the peripheries thereof.

The problem of separating coins which have milling at the peripheries thereof from coins or slugs which do not have milling at the peripheries thereof is a problem of long standing; but the prior art does not disclose a truly satisfactory solution to that problem. The most-frequently proposed solution to that problem utilizes one -or more members which extend into a passageway to permit a coin which has a milled periphery to continue to move through that passageway but which will intercept and hold a coin or slug which does not have a milled periphery. Such a member or members can be considered to operate as a go or no-go gauge; and such a member or members require scavenging of the coins and slugs which do not have milling at the peripheries thereof. It would be desirable to provide a coin-handling device that could direct coins which had milling at the peripheries thereof to an accepted coin chute, and that could direct coins and slugs which did not have milling at the peripherie s thereof to a rejected coin chute; because such a coin-handling device would minimize the need of scavenging the coins or slugs which did not have milling at the peripheries thereof. The present invention provides such a coin-handling device; and it is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a coin-handling device that can separate coins which have milling at the peripheries thereof from coins or slugs which do not have milling at the peripheries thereof by .directing the former coins to an accepted coin chute and by directing the latter coins and slugs to a rejected coin chute.

The coin-handling device provided by the present invention has an element which projects into a coin passageway and which is engaged by the peripheries of coins and slugs passing through that passageway. The peripheries of the coins or slugs passing through that passageway will engage and move that element; but the coins or slugs which do not have milling at the peripheries thereof will 3,454,146 Patented July 8, 1969 ice not be materially retarded by that element, and hence will continue to move at substantially undirninished rates of speed, Whereas the coins which do have milling at the peripheries thereof will be materially retarded by that element, and hence will move at substantially-reduced rates of speed. The materially-slowed coins will pass to the accepted coin chute, whereas the immaterially-slowed coins and slugs that do not have milling will pass to the rejected coin chute. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a coin-handling device which has an element projecting into a passageway to engage and be moved by coins and slugs passing through that passageway and which will not appreciably retard coins or slugs that do not have milling at the peripheries thereof but will appreciably retard coins that have milling at the peripheries thereof.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention should become apparent from an examination of the drawing and accompanying description.

In the drawing and accompanying description several preferred embodiments of coin-handling device provided by the present invention are shown and described but it is to be understood that the drawing and accompanying description are for the purpose of illustration only and do not limit the invention and that the invention will be defined by the appended claims.

In the drawing,

FIG. 1 is a rear elevational view of one preferred embodiment of coin-handling device that is made in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the lower portion of the coin-handling device of FIG. 1 after a casting secured to that coin-handling device has been removed,

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view, on a much larger scale, of the part of the runway indicated by the circular arrow 3 in FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the coin-handling device of FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of part of a rotatable disc which is used in the coin-handling device of FIG. 1, which has milling at the periphery thereof, and which has a weight secured thereto,

FIG. 6 is a front elevational View of the upper portion of the coin-handling device of FIG. 1 after the gate, the movable wall, the stripper plate, and the elongated pivot have been removed,

FIG. 7 is a sectional view through the coin-handling device of FIG. 1, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 7-7 in FIG. 6,

FIG. 8 is a sectional view through part of the portion of the coin-handling device shown in FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of part of the upper portion of a modified form of coin-handling device that is made in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, and

FIG. 10 is a sectional view through the coin-handling device shown in FIG. 9, and it is taken along the broken plane indicated by the broken line 10-40 in FIG. 9.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the numeral 20' generally denotes the central wall of a main plate of one preferred embodiment of coin-handling device that is made in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention. That wall has a slot 22 therein; and that slot is located approximately half-way between the side edges of that wall and is spaced a short distance below the upper edge of that wall. The upper edge of that slot is arcuate. The numeral 24 denotes a small opening which is circular in configuration, as shown particularly by FIG. 8; and that opening is disposed to the left of the opening 22 in FIG. 1. A small rectangular opening 26 is formed in the wall 20 below the level of,

and slightly to the left of, the opening 24; and a horizontally directed opening 28 is formed in the wall below the level of the opening 26. An opening 27 is formed in the wall 20 adjacent the right-hand edge of that wall, as shown particularly by FIG. 2. A shallow, rectangular recess 29 is formed in the rear face of the wall 20 adjacent the bottom of that wall, as shown particularly by FIG. 2. A boss 30 projects rearwardly from the wall 20 adjacent the upper edge of the opening 28, and a further boss 32 projects rearwardly from that wall adjacent the lower edge of that opening; and those bosses can coact with each other to constitute a guide. The numeral 33 denotes a horizontally directed opening in the wall 20; and that opening is disposed below the level of the opening 26 but is disposed above the level of the opening 28.

A deflector 35, which has a rebounding surface inclined to the vertical, is disposed at the forward face of the wall 20 and is held in engagement with that wall by a set screw 37. The position of that deflector can be adjusted by loosening and then tightening the set screw 37; and the front of that deflector is shown particularly by FIG. 6. The numeral 34 denotes a boss which extends rearwardly from the wall 20, and that boss is located below and to the right of the opening 22. A flange 36 extends rearwardly from the wall 20 adjacent the right-hand edge of that wall, as that wall is viewed in FIG. 1. A coin-guide 38, which defines three sides of the coin entrance of the coin-handling device, extends upwardly above the upper edge of the wall 20. That coin guide is secured to that wall by a screw 39.

The numeral 40 denotes a pivot which is supported by, and which extends rearwardly from the wall 20; and that pivot is disposed above the level of the opening 22. That pivot rotatably supports the hub of a pendulum 42 which has a pin 44 at the bottom thereof that projects forwardly through the opening 22 in the wall 20, as shown particularly by FIG. 6. That pendulum has a notch 43 in the left-hand edge thereof, as shown particularly by FIG. 1. A stop 46 is secured to the wall 20 by a combination pin and pivot 78; and the lower end of that stop is adjacent the notch 43 in the pendulum 42. That stop will coact with that notch to limit clockwise rotation of that pendulum, as that pendulum is viewed in FIG. 1. The numeral denotes an opening in the wall 20; and that opening is adjacent the left-hand edge of that wall, as shown particularly by FIG. 2.

The numeral 48 denotes a screw which extends through an opening in the lower end of a lever 50 and which seats in a threaded socket in the wall 20; and that screw serves as a pivot for that lever. As shown particularly by FIG. 7, the upper portion of the lever 50 is offset rearwardly from the lower portion of that lever. The upper end of that lever carries a pivot 52; and that pivot extends forwardly through the opening 24 in the wall 20. The numeral 56 denotes a bracket which has a horizontally directed portion that will be guided by the bosses 30 and 32 adjacent the opening 28. That horizontally directed portion has a pivot 58 secured thereto, and a separator 60 is rotatably mounted on that pivot; and that separator has a coin-receiving portion 61 that extends forwardly through the opening 28, as shown particularly by FIG. 6. The bracket 56 has a vertically directed portion; and a set screw 62 extends through that vertically directed portion and can be tightened to hold that bracket fixedly in position adjacent the wall 20.

The numeral 64 denotes a pivot which is disposed to the right of the opening 28 and which is disposed below the level of the boss 34; and that pivot extends rearwardly from the wall 20. The numeral 66 generally denotes an elongated scavenging lever which has an opening in the right-hand thereof that telescopes over the pivot 64; and that scavenging lever carries a pin 68 which extends rearwardly from that lever. A narrow slot 70 is formed in the scavenging lever 66 adjacent, but below the level of, the pin 68; and that narrow slot extends upwardly from the lower edge of that scavenging lever. A short projection 69 is provided on that scavenging lever adjacent the lower end of that narrow slot; and that projection extends into that lower end of that narrow slot. A notch 71 is formed in the lower edge of the scavenging lever 66, and that notch extends to and merges with the lower end of the narrow slot 70. The numeral 73 denotes a boss which extends rearwardly from the wall 20, and which acts as a stop for the upper edge of the scavenging lever 66; and that boss has a threaded socket therein. The numeral 72 generally denotes an elongated resilient element; and that elongated resilient element has a reentrant bend 74 which can be compressed to fit within the narrow slot 70 in the scavenging lever 66. The short projection 69 will underlie the free end of the reentrant bend 74, and thereby resist accidental separation of the resilient element 72 from the scavenging lever 66. That resilient element has a hooklike end 76 which extends downwardly from the free end of that element; and that hook-like end is dimensioned so the length thereof is approximately equal to the depth of the notch 71 in the lever 66. As a result, the free end of the resilient element 72, and the hooklike end 76 thereon, can move up into that notch. The tip of that hook-like end is dimensioned to extend into the spaces between the tooth-like portions of the milling at the periphery of a Canadian dime.

The numeral 80 denotes a scavenging lever which is disposed adjacent the front face of the wall 20 and which is rotatably mounted on the combination pin and pivot 78. That scavenging lever has a camming surface 81 at the front thereof, as shown particularly by FIGS. 4 and 6; and it carries a pivot 82 at the upper end thereof. That pivot rotatably supports a roller 84 which can be engaged by a suitable part of the scavenging linkage of the vending or other machine in which the coin-handling device of the present invention will be mounted. A torsion spring 83 surrounds the combination pin and pivot 78; and one end of that spring underlies a boss 212 which extends forwardly from the wall 20 while the other end of that spring extends around and then underlies part of the scavenging lever 80. A pin 86 extends rearwardly from that scavenging lever, and extends through a slot 87 in the wall 20; and that pin supports the upper end of an elongated element 88 which has a camming surface 90 adjacent the lower end thereof. A slot 91 is provided in the upper end of that elongated element, and that slot permits the pin 86 to move downwardly a short distance in FIG. 1 before it forces the elongated element 88 to move downwardly. The numeral 92 denotes a connecting arm which is secured to the elongated element 88 by fasteners 94, such as rivets. A helical extension spring 96 has the lower end thereof hooked through an opening in the upper end of the connecting arm 92, and has the upper end thereof hooked around the combination pin and pivot 78. An opening in the lower end of the connecting arm 92 telescopes over the pin 68 carried by the scavenging lever 66; and the helical extension spring 96 will bias the connecting arm 92 for movement upwardly relative to the wall 20, and thus will bias the scavenging lever 66 for rotation in the clockwise direction relative to that wall. The upper limit of that clockwise rotation is determined by the boss '73 which will intercept the upper edge of that scavenging lever.

The numeral 98 denotes a movable wall which is disposed adjacent the rear face of the wall 20 and immediately adjacent the flange 36 on that wall. A horizontally directed pivot 108 has the right-hand end thereof disposed within and held by an opening in the flange 36, and has the left-hand end thereof disposed within and held by a socket in the boss 34, A screw 102 overlies that lefthand of that pivot, and thereby prevents accidental separation of that pivot from that boss and from the flange 36. A runway 104 is secured to the front face of the movable wall 98 by a set screw 105; and the upper edge of that runway is milled, as shown particularly by FIG. 3. The milling on the upper edge of that runway will be complementary to the milling at the periphery of an authentic coin of a predetermined denomination; and, in the said preferred embodiment of coin-handling device provided by the present invention, the milling on the upper edge of the runway 104 will be complementary to the milling at the periphery of a Canadian dime. The numeral 106 denotes a runway which is secured to the front face of the movable wall 98 by a set screw 107. The upper edge of that runway is preferably plane, and is thus free of milling. The positions of the runways 104 and 106 can readily be adjusted by loosening and then tightening the set screws 105 and 107. The runway 104 will be set close enough to the hook-like endf176 of the resilient element 72 to enable that hook-like end to intercept any Canadian dime, and any coin or slug of equivalent diameter, rolling along that runway.

The movable wall 98 has a horizontally directed pivot 109 formed thereon and extending to the left thereof, as that movable wall is viewed in FIG. 1; and a roller 108 is rotatably mounted on that pivot. That roller is immediately adjacent the camming surface 90 on the elongated element 88; and downward movement of that elongated element will cause that camming surface to engage that roller and rotate the lower edge of the movable wall 98 rearwardly and away from the wall 20. A helical torsion spring 110 is wound around the pivot 100, and one end of that spring bears against the movable wall 98 while the other end of that spring bears against an elongated stop 112. The upper end of that stop is supported by the pivot 100, and an car 111 on that stop overlies part of the boss 34 and thus limits movement of the lower end of that stop outwardly and away from the wall 20. As a result, the torsion spring 110 will urge the lower end of the movable wall 98 toward the wall 20, and will urge the ear 111 on the stop 112 into engagement with the boss 34. However, that spring can yield, and thus permit the lower end of the movable wall 98 to move away from the wall 20, whenever the elongated element 88 is moved downwardly and causes the camming surface 90 thereon to engage the roller 108 and thereby force that roller and the movable wall 98 to move rearwardly and :away from the wall 20. The rearward movement of the movable wall 98 will usually stop short of the point Where it would cause that movable wall to engage the stop 112; but if that movable wall tended to rotate further rearwardly, it would be intercepted and held by that stop.

The numeral 114 generally denotes a casting which has an accepted quarter chute 116 adjacent the lefthand end thereof, has a rejected coin chute 118 adjacent the right-hand end thereof, has a slot 120 adjacent the center thereof, and has a small rectangular opening 125 disposed below the level of and to the right of the slot 120. The upper edge of the casting 114 has a notch, not shown, which accommodates the shank of a screw 121 that is held by the threaded socket in the boss 73 on the wall 20. A screw 123 extends through an'opening in the lower edge of the casting 114 and seats in a threaded opening 127 in the bottom portion of the wall 20. A deflector 122 is secured to the forward face of the casting 114 by a screw 124, and the position of that deflector can be adjusted by loosening and then tightening the screw 124. A bracket 126 has a horizontally-extending portion that overlies part of the opening 125 in the casting 114; and that horizontally directed portion carries a pivot 128. A separator 130 is rotatably mounted on that pivot, and the coin-receiving portion 131 of that separator extends forwardly through the opening 125 and into the recess 29 in the lower portion of the wall 20, as indicated particularly by dotted lines in FIG. 2. A set screw 132 extends through a slot in the vertically directed portion of the bracket 126 and seats in an opening the casting 114;

and loosening and subsequent tightening of that set screw permits adjustment of the position of the bracket 126, and hence of the position of the separator 130, relative to the opening 125. A runway 136 and a runway 138 are disposed below the level of the separator and the runway 136 extends to the accepted dime chute 134, while the runway 138 extends to the rejected coin chute 118.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 4 and 6, the numeral 140 denotes a boss which extends forwardly from the front face of the wall 20 and which is immediately adjacent a flange 211 that extends forwardly from the right-hand edge of that wall. A similar flange 209 extends forwardly from the left-hand edge of the wall 20. A further boss 142 extends forwardly from the wall 20; and that boss is below the level of the boss 140 and is immediately adjacent the flange 211. The boss 140 has a socket 141 therein, and the boss 142 has a socket 143 therein; and those sockets are' vertically aligned. Those sockets accommodate an elongated, vertically directed rod 144 which serves as a pivot. A gate 146 has horizontally directed arms and 147 that have openings therein which accommodate the rod 144; and hence that gate can pivot about that rod. That gate has a slot 148 therein; and that slot opens to the lefthand edge of that gate, as that gate is viewed in FIG. 4. That slot is generally in register with a shallow, arcuate recess 218 in the front face of the wall 20. The gate 146 also has an arcuate slot 150 therein, a generally Y-shaped slot 152 therein, and a further arcuate slot 153 therein. The slot 150 is disposed to the right of and extends downwardly from the slot 148, the slot 152 is disposed to the left of and extends downwardly from the slot 150, and the slot 153 is disposed below the level of the slot 152. A boss 155 extends forwardly from the left-hand edge of the gate 146, and that boss is adjacent the lower end of the slot 153. The numeral 156 denotes a coin guide which extends upwardly from the upper edge of the gate 146 to serve as the fourth side of the coin entrance for the coinhandling device of FIGS. l8. That coin guide is secured to the upper edge of the gate by a screw 157.

A pivot 158 extends forwardly from the gate 146, and that pivot is concentric with the arcuate slots 148 and 150 in that gate. A cradle 160 is rotatably supported by that pivot; and coin-receiving fingers 161 and 163 on that cradle extend rearwardly into and through the slots 148 and 150. The upper finger 161 of that cradle will extend into the arcuate recess 218 in the front face of the Wall 20, and the lower finger 163 of that cradle will extend into an arcuate recess 216 in that front face. A stop 162 extends forwardly from the gate 146, and that stop will limit counter clockwise rotation of the cradle 160. A wire-like washer catcher 164 is rotatably secured to the gate 146; and the upper end of that washer catcher overlies the righthand arm of the cradle 160 and is directed rearwardly toward the slot 150' in that gate.

The numeral 166 denotes a pivot which is carried by the left-hand end of the gate 146, and which is disposed below and to the left of the pivot 158. That pivot is concentric with the arcuate slot 153 and with the arcuate portion of the slot 152. That pivot rotatably supports a cradle 168; and that cradle has coin-receiving fingers which extend rearwardly to and through the slots 152 and 153. That coin-receiving finger of that cradle which extends through the slot 152 will extend into the shallow arcuate recess 220' in the front face of the wall 20; and that coin-receiving finger of that cradle which extends through the slot 153 will extend into the shallow arcuate recess 222 in that front face. A wire-like washer catcher 170 is rotatably supported by the gate 146, and the upper end of that washer catcher overlies the right-hand arm of the cradle 168 and is directed rearwardly toward the slot 152.

The numeral 172 denotes a pivot which is supported by the boss 155 at the left-hand edge of the gate 146, and that pivot rotatably supports a deflector 174. A weight 176 is carried by that deflector, and that weight normally causes the rear portion of that deflector to extend into the opening 224 in the wall 20. That rear portion of that deflector is intended to direct dimes, and coins or slugs which have diameters close to the diameter of a dime, rearwardly through the opening 224 and into the dime passageway defined by the wall 20 and the movable wall 98.

The numeral 178 denotes a pivot which is formed as part of and which extends upwardly from the upper arm 145 of the gate 146; and that pivot rotatably supports a roller 180. That roller is immediately adjacent the camming surface 81 on the scavenging lever 80; and that roller will respond to that camming surface, as that scavenging lever is rotated in the clockwise direction about the combination pin and pivot 78, to force the gate 146 to move forwardly away from the wall 20. A runway 182 is formed at the rear face of the gate 146; and that runway inclines from upper left to lower right in FIG. 4.

The numeral 184 generally denotes a movable wall which has ears 198 and 200 that have vertically directed openings therein. Those openings in those ears accommodate the rod 144 which acts as a pivot; and hence the movable wall 184 is rotatable about that rod. A detent 186 is secured to the movable wall 184 adjacent the lower edge of that wall by a screw 188; and that detent overlies the lower arm 147 of the gate 146. That detent is normally closely-adjacent the front face of that arm of that gate; and hence movement of the left-hand end of that gate away from the wall 20 will force the left-hand end of the movable wall 184 to move away from that wall. However, the detent 186 is normally spaced a short distance forwardly of the front face of the lower arm 147 of the gate 146; and hence the left-hand end of that gate is able to move a short distance away from the wall 20 before that front face of that lower arm can engage the detent 186 and force the left-hand end of the movable wall 184 to start moving away from the wall 20.

The numeral 190 denotes a downward extension of the movable wall 184; and that extension projects downwardly below the level of the lower arm 147 of the gate 146. A bolt 192 is carried by that downward extension; and that bolt normally abuts a partition 193 which is disposed forwardly of the lower position of the wall 20'. The engagement between that bolt and that partition limits movements of the movable wall 184 toward the wall 20. An opening 197 is provided in the partition 193, and that opening serves as part of the rejected quarter chute. A cover plate 195 overlies and conceals most of the partition 193, and also overlies and conceals the bottom portion of the wall 20. A boss 194 extends rearwardly from the movable wall 184 and that boss is located above the downward extension 190; and a second boss 196 extends rearwardly from that movable wall. Those bosses would contain permanent magnets if the coin-handling device was intended to separate non-magnetic coins; but those bosses will not contain such magnets if that coin-handling device is intended to accept coins of magnetic material. The numeral 201 denotes an arcuate notch which is formed in the upper edge of the movable Wall 184 immediately adjacent the boss 196.

The numeral 202 denotes a stripper plate of standard and usual design; and that stripper plate has ears, not shown, which extend rearwardly from the right-hand edge thereof and which have openings therein to accommodate the rod 144. As a result, the stripper plate 202 can pivot about that rod. An ear 203 is provided on the stripper plate 202 adjacent the right-hand portion of that stripper plate, and that ear accommodates one end of a helical torsion spring 204. That spring surrounds the rod 144; and the other end of that spring extends through the opening 26 in the wall 20 and bears against that wall, as shown in FIG. 1. Another helical torsion spring 206 surrounds the rod 144; and one end of that spring bears against the gate 146, while the other end of that spring extends through the opening 26 in the wall 20 and bears against that wall. The spring 206 will normally hold the gate 146 parallel to the forward face of the wall 20, and the spring 204 will normally hold the stripper plate 202 generally parallel to that wall. However, those springs will yield to permit the left-hand end-s of that gate and of that stripper plate to move forwardly and away from the wall 20 whenever the scavenging lever is rotated in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4 about the combination pin and pivot 78.

The wall 20 has a boss 210 adjacent the upper edge thereof, and that boss and the boss 212 extend forwardly from that wall. Those bosses act as downward extensions of two of the sides of the coin entrance for the coinhandling device. A guide plate 226 is secured to the front face of the wall 20, and that guide plate is adjacent the flange 209, as shown by FIG. 6.

A disc 228 has a disc-like weight 230 secured thereto; and that disc and that weight are disposed adjacent the front face of the wall 20, although they are rotatably mounted on the pivot 52 which is carried by the lever 50 adjacent the rear face of that wall. The periphery of the disc 228 is provided with milling that is complementary to the milling at the periphery of an authentic coin of predetermined denomination; and, in the said preferred embodiment of coin-handling device provided by the present invention, the milling at the periphery of that disc is complementary to the milling at the periphery of a Canadian quarter. Suflicient clearance is provided between the openings in the disc 228 and in the weight 230 and the surface of the pivot 52 carried by the lever 50 to ermit that disc and that weight to rotate freely relative to that pivot. The hub of the disc 228 will normally rest against the lower edge of the opening 24 in the wall 20, as shown by FIG. 8; and that disc is so dimensioned and that opening is so located that the lower portion of the periphery of that disc will intercept a Canadian quarter, and any coin or slug having a diameter equivalent to that of a Canadian quarter, as it rolls along the runway 182.

The numerals 232, 234 and 236 denote circular discs of magnetic metal that are disposed within circular recesses in the wall 20. The discs 232 and 234 are disposed -within recesses in the front face of the wall 20 and are in register with the bosses 196 and 194 carried by the movable wall 184. Those discs would act to complete the magnetic paths of the permanent magnets mounted within those bosses if the coins to be accepted by the coin-handling device were made from nonmagnetic material. The disc 236 is mounted within a recess in the rear face of the wall 20, and it would serve to complete the path of a permanent magnet held within a boss, not shown, adjacent that disc if the coins to be accepted by the coin-receiving device were made from non-magnetic material.

The numeral 240 in FIG. 6 denotes a position which a Canadian quarter, or a coin or slug of equivalent diameter, would occupy as that quarter, coin or slug moved downwardly through the coin entrance of the coin-handling device and was intercepted by the fingers 161 and 163 of the cradle 160. The numeral 242 denotes the position of that quarter, coin or slug after the cradle has rotated to its coin-delivering position, and that quarter, coin or slug is about to roll off of the lower finger 163 of that cradle and onto the runway 182. The numeral 244 denotes a position of a quarter, coin or slug which is supported by the trailing edge of the runway 182 and has the upper portion of the periphery thereof in engagement with the milling on the periphery of the rotatable disc 228. The numeral 247 denotes the path which will be followed by a quarter as that quarter moves downwardly below and beyond the rotatable disc 228; and it will be noted that the said path inclines sharply down wardly until the lower edge of the quarter engages the coin-receiving portion 61 of the separator 60, and then inclines to the right and downwardly to the position indicated by the numeral 248. When the quarter reaches the position 248, it is in register with the opening 45 in the wall 20; and it will then pass through that opening and move downwardly into the accepted quarter chute 116. The path 247 of the quarter moves far enough to the left of the deflector 35 to keep that quarter from engaging that deflector; and hence the quarter will fall freely after it rolls off the lower end of the runway 182 until it engages, and is directed to the right by, the coin-receiving portion 61 of the separator 60.

The numeral 249 denotes the position of a coin or slug, which has a diameter equivalent to that of a quarter but which does not have milling at the periphery thereof, and which has forced the disc 228 to move upwardly and has passed beneath and beyond that disc with sufficient speed to move into engagement with the deflector 35. As that coin or slug engages that deflector, it will rebound to the left and will follow the path 251thereby passing to the left of the coin-receiving portion 61 of the separator 60. The numeral 250 denotes another position of that coin or slug; and when that coin or slug is in that position it is in register with the opening 197, and thus is in register with the rejected quarter chute.

The numeral 254 in FIG. 2 denotes the position of a Canadian dime, or of a coin or slug that has a diameter equivalent to that of a Canadian dime, that has rolled along the runway 104 and is engaged by the hook-like end 76 of the resilient element 72. In that position, the milling at the periphery of a Canadian dime will be urged into meshing engagement with the milling on the top of the runway 104 by the restorative forces within the resilient element 72, but the periphery of a smooth-faced coin or slug will merely rest upon the tops of the toothlike portions of that milling. The numeral 257 denotes the path which a Canadian dime will follow as it rolls off the trailing edge of the runway 104; and it will be noted that the said path inclines downwardly to the left of the coin-receiving portion 131 of the separator 130, "and thus will cause the dime to pass to the accepted dime chute 134. The numeral 256 denotes a position of a Canadian dime after that dime has engaged the coinreceiving portion 131 of the separator 130, has been directed to the left, and is rolling along the runway 136.

The numeral 258 denotes a position of a coin or slug, which has a diameter equivalent to that of a Canadian dime but which does not have milling at the periphery thereof, and which has forced the hook-like end 76 of the resilient element 72 to move upwardly and has moved beneath and beyond that hook-like end with sufficient speed to move into engagement with the deflector 122. As that coin or slug engages that deflector, it will rebound to the right and follow the path 261thereby passing to the right of the coin-receiving portion 131 of the separator 130. The path 261 followed by the coin or slug which does not have milling at the periphery thereof is shallower than the path 257 followed by the Canadian dime. The numeral 260 denotes a position of the coin or slug, which does not have milling at the periphery thereof, as that coin or slug is passing to the right of the coin-receiving portion 131 of the separator 130 and is about to roll onto the runway 138and thence to the rejected coin chute 118.

In the operation of the coin-handling device shown by FIGS. 1-8, a Canadian dime that is introduced into the coin entrance will pass downwardly between the fingers 1-61 and 163 of the cradle 160, and will then be deflected to the left in FIG. 4 by the lower finger 163 of that cradle or by the left-hand end of the runway 182. That dime will then pass downwardly between the fingers of the cradle 168 and engage the rearwardly extending portion of the deflector 174; and that deflector will direct that dime through the opening 224 in the wall 20 into a passageway defined by that wall and the movable Wall 98. That dime will then rest upon and roll downwardly along the runway 106; and after that dime rolls off the runway 106 and rolls onto the runway 104, it will engage the hook-like end 76 of the resilient element 72. As that dime rolls onto the runway 104, the milling at the periphery thereof will mesh with the milling on the top of that runwaythe tooth-like portions of the milling at the periphery of that dime extending down into the spaces between the tooth-like portions of the milling on the runway 104. As a result, by the time that dime engages the hook-like end 76 of the resilient element 72, that dime will be rolling along the runway 104 in much the manner in which a pinion rolls along a rack. As the periphery of that dime engages the hook-like end 76 of the resilient element 72, it will force that resilient element to bend upwardly into the dotted-line position shown by FIG. 2; and by the time that dime reaches the position 254, that dime will have bent that resilient element upwardly until it is almost completely within the notch 71 in the scavenging lever 66. The hook-like end 76 of the resilient element 72 will feel a number of the tooth-like portions of the milling at the periphery of that dime, as that dime forces that hook-like end to move upwardly; and that hook-like end will feel still more of the tooth-like portions of that milling as that dime rolls beyond the position 254. Each time the hook-like end 76 feels one of the tooth-like portions of the milling at the periphery of that dime, that hook-like end will apply a retarding force to that dime. The sum total of those retarding forces will not be great enough to halt the movement of that dime, but will be great enough to reduce the speed of that dime sufiiciently to cause that dime to follow the path 257. As a result, that dime will pass to the right of the deflector 122, but will engage the coin-receiving portion 131 of the separator and consequently, that dime will be directed to the left in FIG. 2. That dime will then rest upon and roll along the runway 136, and thus be directed to the accepted dime chute 134.

A coin or slug which has the diameter of a Canadian dime, but which does not have milling at the periphery thereof, also will pass downwardly between the fingers 161 and 163 of the cradle 160, and between the fingers of the cradle 168, and that coin or slug will then be deflected through the opening 224 into the passageway between the wall 20 and the movable wall 98. That coin or slug will roll along the runway 106 and then roll onto the runway 104-where it will roll into engagement with the hook-like end 76 of the resilient element 72. That coin or slug will force that resilient element to bend upwardly to a position slightly higher than the dotted-line position shown by FIG. 2, because the periphery of that coin or slug will roll along the tips of the tooth-like portions of the milling on that runway and will not be able to extend down into the spaces between those tooth-like portionsas did the tooth-like portions of the milling on a Canadian dime. The hook-like end 76 of the resilient element 72 will feel appreciable portions of the upper part of the periphery of the coin or slug, as that coin or slug rolls along the runway 104, but the retardation which that hook-like end will apply to that coin or slug will be relatively small; because that periphery is free of milling. As a result, that coin or slug will not follow the path 257 and, instead, will follow the path 261-moving into engagement with the deflector 122. The speed at which that coin or slug will engage that deflector will be great enough to cause that coin or slug to rebound back to the right, as shown by FIG 2; and that coin or slug will move downwardly past the coin-intercepting portion 131 of the separator 130, and then roll along the runway 138 to the rejected coin chute 118. That coin chute will automatically direct that coin or slug to a coin return cup at the exterior of the vending or other machine in which the coin-handling device is mounted; and the patron who inserted that coin or slug can then retrieve it from that coin return cup.

Each Canadian dime will approach the runway 106 with a speed that falls within a predetermined range of speeds; and each smooth-surfaced coil or slug having a diameter equivalent to that of a Canadian dime will approach that runway with a speed within that speed range. As a result, a Canadian dime or a smooth-faced coin or slug of equivalent diameter and weight will have about the same speed as it rolls off of the runway 106 and onto the runway 104. However, as the Canadian dime is engaged by the hook-like end 76 of the resilient element 72, the speed of that dime will be very perceptibly reduced; whereas the speed of the smooth-faced coin or slug will not be reduced appreciably. The resulting difference in speed will cause that dime to fall downwardly so abruptly toward the separator 130 that it will not engage the deflector 122; and hence that dime will be able to engage the left-hand edge of the coin-receiving portion 131 of that separator, and thereby be directed toward the accepted dime chute 134. In contrast, the faster-moving, smooth-faced coin or slug will engage the deflector 122 and will rebound to the right of the coin-receiving portion of that separator, and thus be directed toward the rejected coin chute 118. This means that the coin-handling device provided by the present invention is able to separate Canadian dimes from slugs or coins of equivalent diameter and weight which do not have milling at the peripheries thereof.

In the event a coin or slug, having a diameter appreciably larger than that of a Canadian dime, is inserted in the coin entrance, that coin or slug will pass downwardly between the fingers 161 and 163 of the cradle 160, will pass downwardly between the fingers of the cradle 168, will be deflected through the opening 224 by the deflector 174, and will start rolling along the runway 106. That coin or slug will roll onto the runway 104, will raise the hook-like end 76 of the resilient element 72 upwardly into the notch 71, and then will be intercepted by the abrupt trailing edge of that notch. That trailing edge is spaced far enough away from the runway 104 so Canadian dimes can pass between that trailing edge and that runway, and so coins or slugs which have unmilled peripheries and which have diameters equal to that of a Canadian dime can pass between that trailing edge and that runway. However, that trailing edge is located close enough to that runway to keep an appreciably oversized coin or slug from passing between it and that runway.

Such an oversized coin or slug will continue to be held by that trailing edge and the runway 104 until the scavenging mechanism at the exterior of the vending or other machine, in which the coin-handling device is mounted, is actuated. Thereupon, the roller 84 will move downwardly and force the scavenging lever 80 to rotate in the counter clockwise direction in FIG. 1. That rotation will cause the pin 86 on that scavenging lever to move down to the lower end of the slot 91 in the elongated element 88; and further rotation of that scavenging lever will force the camming surface 90 on that elongated element into engagement with the roller 108 held by the pivot 109 011 the movable wall 98. Also, that further rotation of that scavenging lever will cause the connecting arm 92 to act through the pin 68 carried by the scavenging lever 66 to force the latter scavenging lever to rotate in the counter clockwise direction about the pivot 64. The movable wall 98 will respond to the camming surface 90 to move the runway 104 rearwardly and away from the wall and the trailing edge of the notch 76 of the scavenging lever 66 will force the coin or slug held by that trailing edge and by the runway 104 to move to the right in FIG. 1and thus into the rejected coin chute 118. Subsequent releasing of the scavenging mechanism at the exterior of the vending or other machine will permit the various component parts of the coinhandling device to return to the positions shown by the drawing, and will thus ready that coin-handling device for the reception of further coins or slugs.

In the event a coin or slug, having a diameter appreciably smaller than that of a Canadian dime, is inserted in the coin entrance, that coin or slug will pass downwardly between the fingers 161 and 163 of the cradle 160, will pass downwardly between the fingers of the cradle 168, will be deflected through the opening 224 by the deflector 174, and will start rolling along the runway 106. That coin or slug will roll onto the runway 104, and the smaller diameter of that coin or slug will enable it to pass beneath the hook-like end 76 of the resilient element 72 with very little reduction in the speed thereof; and hence that coin or slug will follow the path denoted by the numeral 261 and thus will be directed to the rejected coin chute 118.

All of this means that the coin-handling device provided by the present invention will provide automatic rejection and return of coins or slugs that are appreciably larger than a Canadian dime, and will provide automatic rejection and return of any coins or slugs that are appreciably smaller than a Canadian dime. The automatic rejection and return of such coins is very desirable; because it avoids all need of actuating the scavenging mechanism at the exterior of the vending or other machine.

When a Canadian quarter is introduced into the coin entrance of the coin-handling device, it will move downwardly into engagement with the fingers 161 and 163 of the cradle and it will cause that cradle to rotate in the clockwise direction in FIGS. 4 and 6. That quarter will then roll onto the runway 182. As that quarter approaches the position denoted by the numeral 244, the milling at the periphery thereof will engage the milling at the periphery of the disc 228; and the tooth-like portions of the milling on that quarter will extend down into the spaces between the tooth-like portion of the milling on that disc. Also, that quarter will raise the disc 228 and the weight 230 upwardly and pass under them. The mass of the disc 228 and the mass of the weight 230 are Small enough to enable a Canadian quarter rolling along the runway 182 to readily raise that disc and that weight; but those masses are large enough to provide suflicient inertia for that disc and weight to enable that disc to materially reduce the rate of movement of that quarter. As a result, that quarter will move sharply downwardly along the path 247-passing to the left of the deflector 35 and engaging the right-hand edge of the coin-receiving portion 61 of the separator 60. Thereafter, that quarter will fall downwardly, pass through the opening 45, and then enter the accepted quarter chute 116.

If a coin or slug which has the same diameter as a Canadian quarter but which does not have milling at the periphery thereof is introduced into the coin entrance, that coin or slug will be intercepted by the fingers 161 and 163 of the cradle 160; and that cradle will rotate in the clockwise direction in FIGS. 4 and 6 and transfer that coin or slug to the runway 182. As that coin or slug approaches the position denoted by the numeral 244, the un-milled periphery thereof will engage the milling at the periphery of the disc 228; and that coin or slug will force the disc 228 and the weight 230 to move upwardly, Because the periphery of that coin or slug is free of milling, that coin or slug will force the disc 228 and the weight 230 to move higher than would a Canadian quarter; because the periphery of that coin or slug will engage only the tips of,the tooth-like portions of the milling at the periphery of that disc, whereas the toothlike portions of a Canadian quarter move into the spaces between the tooth-like portions of the milling on that disc. The un-milled surface of that coin or slug will enable that coin or slug to pass beneath the disc 228 with substantially undiminished speed; and hence that coin or slug will follow the path 251. Specifically, that coin or slug will move from the position denoted by the numeral 244 to the position denoted by the numeral 249, where that coin or slug will engage the deflector 35; and that coin or slug will rebound from that deflector with sulficient force and speed to move the left of the coin-receiving portion 61 of the separator 60 and to move into the position denoted by the numeral 250. Thereafter, that coin or slug will pass through the opening 197 and be automatically directed to the coin-return cup at the exterior of the vending or other machine in which the coinhandling device is mounted.

At the time a Canadian quarter is rolling along the runway 182, it will have a speed within a predetermined range of speeds; and at the time a smooth-faced coin or slug is rolling along that runway it will have a speed within that predetermined range of speed. As a result, a Canadian quarter or a smooth-faced coin or slug of equivalent diameter and weight will have about the same speed as it rolls along the runway 182. However, as that quarter engages the disc 228, the speed of that quarter will be very perceptibly reduced; whereas the speed of a smoothfaced coin or slug will not be reduced appreciably. The resulting difference in speed will cause that quarter to fall downwardly so abruptly toward the separator 60 that it will not engage the deflector 35; and hence that quarter will be able to engage the right-hand edge of the coinreceiving portion 61 of the separator 60, and thereby be directed to the accepted quarter chute 116. In contrast, the faster-moving, smooth-faced coin or slug will engage the deflector 35 and will rebound to the left of the coinreceiving portion 67 of the separator 60, and thereby be directed to the rejected coin chute 118. This means that the coin-handling device provided by the present inven tion is able to separate Canadian quarters from slugs or coins of equivalent diameter and weight which do not have milling at the peripheries thereof.

In the event a coin or slug, having a diameter appreciably smaller than that of a Canadian quarter, is introduced into the coin entrance of the coin-handling device, that coin or slug will pass downwardly between the fingers 161 and 163 of the cradle 160, and thus will be kept from passing to the accepted quarter chute 116. Such an undersized coin or slug will be directed to the rejected-coin chute 118, either by passing between the fingers of the cradle 168, or by being directed by that cradle into the five cent coin passageway. A coin or slug which has a diameter that is close enough to the diameter of a Canadian quarter to be intercepted by the fingers 161 and '163 of the cradle 160 will be delivered to the runway 182, and will then roll into engagement with the periphery of the disc 228. The small diameter of that coin or slug will enable it to raise the disc 228 and the weight 230 and to pass under that disc with so little reduction in the speed thereof that the said coin or slug will follow the path 251--striking the deflector 35 and then rebounding to the left of the coin-receiving portion 61 of the separator 60. As a result, that coin or slug will pass to the rejected quarter chute which includes the opening 197. This means that the coin-handling device provided by the present invention will reject coins or slugs which have diameters smaller than the diameters of a Canadian quarter.

If a coin or slug, having a diameter appreciably larger than that of a Canadian quarter, is introduced into the coin entrance of the coin-handling device, that coin or slug will be intercepted and held by the fingers 161 and 163 on the cradle 160; and that cradle will start to rotate towards its fully-rotated position. However, the periphery of that coin or slug will engage the pin 44 on the lower end of the pendulum 42, and will thus force that pendulum to rotate in the clockwise direction in FIG. 1. The lower end of the stop 46 is disposed, relative to the notch 43 in that pendulum, so that notch will not engage the lower end of that stop whenever a Canadian quarter is inserted but will engage that stop when an appreciablyoversized coin or slug is inserted. As that notch engages the lower end of that stop, the pin 44 on the lower end of the pendulum 42 will be prevented from rotating further in the clockwise direction in FIG. 1. At such time, that pin will block further rotation of the cradle 160 and of the coin or slug held thereby; and hence that coin or slug will continue to be held by the fingers 161 and 163 of the cradle 160 and by the pin 44 on the pendulum 42 until the scavenging system of the venting or other machine in which the coin-handling device of FIG. 1 is mounted is actuated. Thereupon, the roller 84 will move downwardly and will cause the scavenging lever to rotate in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4; and, very quickly, the camming surface 81 will engage the roller 180 held by the pivot 178 on the gate 146. The resulting forward movement of the left-hand edge of that gate away from the wall 20 will move that coin or slug against one of the rearwardly directed fingers of the stripper plate 202; and that finger will push that coin or slug off of the fingers 161 and 163 of the cradle That coin or slug will then fall downwardly into the rejected coin chute 118. This means that the coin-handling device of FIGS. 18 will keep coins or slugs, that have diameters appreciably larger. than the diameter of a Canadian quarter, from reaching the accepted quarter chute 116.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 9 and 10, the numeral 262 denotes a hole in the wall of another embodiment of coin-handling device provided by the present invention; and that hole is disposed below the level of the combination pin and pivot 78. That hole accommodates a pivot 263 which is formed on the rear face of a generally V-shaped lever 264; and that pivot is located adjacent the upper -.end of the left-hand arm of that lever. The righthand arm of that lever will act as a counter weight, and will bias that lever for rotation in the clockwise direction; but a stop 265 underlies the left-hand arm of that lever and will limit clockwise rotation of that lever. The numeral 266 denotes a point-like portion on the lower edge of that lever, and that point-like portion is intended to extend into the spaces between adjacent tooth-like portions of the milling at the periphery of a Canadian quarter. The stop 265 is positioned so the distance between the point-like portion 266 on the lever 264 and the closest portion of the runway 182 is shorter than the diameter of a Canadian quarter. As a result, a Canadian quarter, or a coin or slug having the diameter of a Canadian quarter, will have to engage and raise the lever 264 as it rolls along the runway 182.

The numeral 270 denotes a position of a Canadian quarter that has rolled along the runway 182, has engaged the point-like portion 266 of the lever 264, has raised that lever, and has permitted that point-like por tion to move into the space between adjacent tooth-like portions of the milling at the periphery of that quarter. The numeral 272 denotes a further position of that quarter, after that quarter has followed the path 273 downwardly into engagement with the coin-receiving portion 61 of the separator 60 and has been directed to the right of that coin-receiving portion. When that quarter reaches the position 272, that quarter is ready to move into the accepted quarter chute 116.

The numeral 274 denotes a position of a coin or slug, which has the diameter of a Canadian quarter but which does not have milling at the periphery thereof, and which has moved through the position 270 and has moved beyond the runway 182 and beyond the lever 264 with sufficient speed to move into engagement with the deflector 35. The numeral 276 denotes a further position of that coin or slug, after that coin or slug has rebounded from that deflector and has moved to the left of the coin-receiving portion 61 of the separator 60. The numeral 278 denotes the path which will be followed by the coin or slug which does not have milling at the periphery thereof; and that path will lead that coin or slug to the rejected chute which includes the opening 197.

In the operation of the embodiment of coin-handling device shown by FIGS. 9 and 10, a Canadian quarter will be intercepted by a cradle, not shown, identical to the cradle 160, and will then be delivered to the runway 182. That quarter will roll along that runway until the milling at the periphery thereof engages the point-like portion 266 on the lever 264; and that quarter will then force that lever to rotate in the counter clockwise direction sufficiently to enable that point-like portion to clear the tips of the tooth-like portions of the milling at the periphery of that quarter. The mass of that lever will force that point-like portion to feel a number of the toothlike portions of the milling at the periphery of that quarter; and each time that point-like portion feels one of those tooth-like portions, that point-like portion will apply a retarding force to that quarter. The overall result is that the speed of that quarter will be reduced sufficiently to cause that quarter to follow the path 273 shown in FIG. 9, and thus be directed to the accepted quarter chute 116.

In the event a coin or slug, which has the diameter of a Canadian quarter but which does not have milling at the periphery thereof, is introduced into the coin entrance of the coin-handling device of FIGS. 9 and 10, that coin will be intercepted by the fingers of a cradle, not shown, which is identical to the cradle 160, and will then be transferred to the runway 182. The periphery of that coin or slug will engage the point-like portion 266 on the lever 264, and will rotate that lever in the counter clockwise direction far enough to enable it to pass under that point-like portion. Because the periphery of that coin or slug is free of milling, the point-like portion 266 will not appreciably reduce the rate of speed of that coin or slug; and hence that coin or slug will follow the path indicated by the numeral 278 in FIG. 9, and thus be directed to the opening 197 of the rejected quarter chute.

The coin-handling device of FIGS. 9 and will reject appreciably undersized coins and slugs, and also will reject appreciably oversized coins and slugs in the manner in which the coin-handling device of FIGS. 1-8 rejects coins or slugs that are appreciably smaller or appreciably larger in diameter than a Canadian quarter. As a result, the coin-handling device of FIGS. 9 and 10 is able to accept Canadian quarters, while being able to reject oversized coins or slugs and being able to reject and automatically return undersized coins and slugs as well as smooth-faced coins or slugs having diameters equal to the diameter of a Canadian quarter.

The runway 104 has milling at the upper edge thereof; and that milling is desirable because it keeps the bottom edge of a Canadian dime from sliding forwardly as the top edge of that dime engages the hook-like end 76 on the resilient element 72. Such sliding would be objectionable, because it might permit a Canadian dime to pass beneath that hook-like end with so little reduction in the speed thereof that it would follow the path 261 to the rejected coin chute 118 rather than follow the path 257 to the accepted dime chute 134. If desired, the runway 182 in FIGS. 4, 6 and 9 could have milling, complementary to the milling at the periphery of a Canadian quarter, provided on the upper edge thereof.

If desired, the materially retarded coins which have milling at the peripheries thereof could be separated from the immaterially retarded coins or slugs which do not have milling at the peripheries thereof without using deflectors such as the deflectors 35 and 122. Specifically, Canadian quarters could be separated from coins or slugs, which have diameters equivalent to those of Canadian quarters but which do not have milling at the peripheries thereof, without using the deflector 35, by disposing the entrance to the accepted quarter chute close to the trailing edge of the runway 182 so the materially retarded quarters would pass directly to that entrance but the faster moving coins or slugs which do not have milling at the peripheries thereof would pass above and beyond that entrance and above and beyond a separator such as the separator 60 and would enter a rejected quarter chute that was spaced further from the trailing edge of that runway than was the accepted quarter chute or that separator. Similarly, Canadian dimes could be separated from coins or slugs, which have diameters equivalent to those of Canadian dimes but which do not have milling at the peripheries thereof, without using the deflector 122, by disposing the entrance to the accepted dime chute close to the trailing edge of the runway 104 so the materially retarded dimes would pass directly to that entrance but the faster moving coins or slugs which do not have milling at the peripheries thereof would pass above and beyond that entrance and above and beyond a separator such as the separator and would enter a rejected dime chute that was spaced further from the trailing edge of that runway than was the accepted dime chute or that separator. However, use of the deflectors 35 and 122 is desirable because that use makes it possible to use a relatively-narrow main plate for the coin-handling device.

Whereas the drawing and accompanying description have shown and described several preferred embodiments of the present invention, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the form of the invention without affecting the scope thereof.

What I claim is:

1. In a coin-handling device which has spaced walls to define a coin passageway, an accepted coin chute, a rejected coin chute, and a separator intermediate said accepted coin chute and said rejected coin chute, the improvement which comprises a deflector that has a portion thereof disposed in said coin passageway to receive and deflect coins or slugs which pass through said coin passageway without substantial retardation, an element that has a portion thereof disposed in said coin passageway to intercept and feel parts of the peripheries of coins or slugs moving through said coin passageway, said coin passageway causing coins or slugs therein to move toward said element in a predetermined direction, and supporting means for said element, said portion of said element being eccentric of said supporting means so coins or slugs engaging said portion of said element apply substantial rotative moments to said element and cause said portion of said element to move generally in said predetermined direction as said coins or slugs engage said portion of said element, said portion of said element being positioned to be engaged by the periphery of a coin or slug moving through said coin passageway and being movable out of the path of said coin or slug by said coin or slug, said portion of said element feeling part of the periphery of said coin or slug as said coin or slug moves said portion of said element out of the path of said coin or slug, said portion of said element applying a speed-retarding force to any coin or slug, which does not have milling at the periphery thereof, as said portion of said element feels the periphery of said coin or slug but said retarding force being unable to materially reduce the speed of said coin or slug, whereby said coin or slug will move past said portion of said element without substantial retardation of said coin or slug and engage said deflector, said portion of said element applying a speed-retarding force to a coin, which has milling at the periphery thereof, as said portion of said element feels the periphery of said coin and said retarding force materially reducing the speed of said coin, whereby said coin will move past said portion of said element with substantial retardation and not engage said deflector, said separator coacting with said element to direct the slower-moving coin which has milling at the periphery thereof to said accepted coin chute and coacting with said element and said deflector to direct the fastermoving coin or slug which does not have milling at the periphery thereof to said rejected coin chute.

2. In a coin-handling device which has spaced walls to define a coin passageway, an accepted coin chute, a rejected coin chute, and a separator intermediate said accepted coin chute and said rejected coin chute, the improvement which comprises a deflector that has a portion thereof disposed in said coin passageway to receive and deflect coins or slugs which pass through said coin passageway without substantial retardation, an element that has a portion thereof disposed in said coin passageway to intercept and feel parts of the peripheries of coins or slugs moving through said coin passageway, said coin passageway causing coins or slugs therein to move toward said element in a predetermined direction, and supporting means for said element, said portion of said element being eccentric of said supporting means so coins or slugs engaging said portion of said element apply substantial rota tive moments to said element and cause said portion of said element to move generally in said predetermined direction as said coins or slugs engage said portion of said element, said portion of said element being positioned to be engaged by the periphery of a coin or slug moving through said coin passageway and being movable out of the path of said coin or slug by said coin or slug, said portion of said element feeling part of the periphery of said coin or slug as said coin or slug moves said portion of said element out of the path of said coin or slug, said portion of said element applying a speed-retarding force to any coin or slug, which does not have milling at the periphery thereof, as said portion of said element feels the periphery of said coin or slug but said retarding force being unable to materially reduce the speed of said coin or slug, whereby said coin or slug will move past said portion of said element without substantial retardation of said coin or slug and engage said deflector, said portion of said element applying a speed-retarding force to a coin, which has milling at the periphery thereof, as said portion of said element feels the periphery of said coin and said retarding force materially reducing the speed of said coin, whereby said coin will move past said portion of said element with substantial retardation and not engage said deflector, said separator coacting with said element to direct the slower-moving coin which has milling at the periphery thereof to said accepted coin chute and coacting with said element and said deflector to direct the fastermoving coin or slug which does not have milling at the periphery thereof to said rejected coin chute, said portion of said element having a part thereof which is dimensioned to extend into the space between adjacent toothlike portions of the milling at the periphery of said coin which has milling at the periphery thereof, said element being elongated and resilient so it flexes when said portion thereof is engaged by a coin or slug.

3. In a coin-handling device which has spaced walls to define a coin passageway, an accepted coin chute, a rejected coin chute, and a separator intermediate said accepted coin chute and said rejected coin chute, the improvement which comprises a deflector that has a portion thereof disposed in said coin passageway to receive and deflect coins or slugs which pass through said coin passageway without substantially retardation, an element that has a portion thereof disposed in said coin passageway to intercept and feel parts of the peripheries of coins or slugs moving through said coin passageway, said coin passageway causing coins or slugs therein to move toward said element in a predetermined direction, and supporting means for said element, said portion of said element being eccentric of said supporting means so coins or slugs engaging said portion of said element apply substantial rotative moments to said element and cause said portion of said element to move generally in said predetermined direction as said coins or slugs engage said portion of said element, said portion of said element being positioned to be engaged by the periphery of a coin or slug moving through said coin passageway and being movable out of the path of said coin or slug by said coin or slug, said portion of said element feeling part of the periphery of said coin or slug as said coin or slug moves said portion of said element out of the path of said coin or slug, said portion of said element applying a speedretarding force to any coin or slug, which does not have milling at the periphery thereof, as said portion of said element feels the periphery of said coin or slug but said retarding force being unable to materially reduce the speed of said coin or slug, whereby said coin or slug will move past said portion of said element without substantial retardation of said coin or slug and engage said deflector, said portion of said element applying a speedretarding force to a coin, which has milling at the periphery thereof, as said portion of said element feels the periphery of said coin and said retarding force materially reducing the speed of said coin, whereby said coin will move past said portion of said element with substantial retardation and not engage said deflector, said separator coacting with said element to direct the slower-moving coin which has milling at the periphery thereof to said accepted coin chute and coacting with said element and said deflector to direct the faster-moving coin or slug which does not have milling at the periphery thereof to said rejected coin chute, said supporting means being a pivot and said element being rotatably mounted on said pivot, said portion of said element being the periphery of said element, and said portion of said element having a tooth-like part which is dimensioned to extend into the space between adjacent tooth-like portions of the milling atthe periphery of said coin which has milling at the periphery thereof.

4. In a coin-handling device which has spaced walls to define a coin passageway, an accepted coin chute, a rejected coin chute, and a separator intermediate said accepted coin chute and said rejected coin chute, the improvement which comprises a deflector that has a portion thereof disposed in said coin passageway to receive and deflect coins or slugs which pass through said coin passageway without substantial retardation, an element that has a portion thereof disposed in said coin passageway to intercept and feel parts of the peripheries of coins or slugs moving through said coin passageway, said coin passageway causing coins or slugs therein to move toward said element in a predetermined direction, and supporting means for said element, said portion of said element being eccentric of said supporting means so coins or slugs engaging said portion of said element apply substantial rotative moments to said element and cause said portion of said element to move generally in said predetermined direction as said coins or slugs engage said portion of said element, said portion of said element being positioned to be engaged by the periphery of a coin or slug moving through said coin passageway and being movable out of the path of said coin or slug by said coin or slug, said portion of said element feeling part of the periphery of said coin or slug as said coin or slug moves said portion of said element out of the path of said coin or slug, said portion of said element applying a speed-retarding force to any coin or slug, which does not have milling at the periphery thereof, as said portion of said element feels the periphery of said coin or slug but said retarding force being unable to materially reduce the speed of said coin or slug, whereby said coin or slug will move past said portion of said element without substantial retardation of saidcoin or slug and engage said deflector, said portion of said element applying a speed-retardating force to a coin, which has milling at the periphery thereof, as said portion of said element feels the periphery of said coin and said retarding force materially reducing the speed of said coin, whereby said coin will move past said portion of said element with substantial retardation and not engage said deflector, said separator coacting with said element to direct the slower-moving coin which has milling at the periphery thereof to said accepted coin chute and coacting with said element and said deflector to direct the faster-moving coin or slug which does not have milling at the periphery thereof to said rejected coin chute, said supporting means being a pivot and said element being a rotatable disk rotatably mounted on said pivot and said disk being weighted to have appreciable mass and inertia.

5. In a coin-handling device which has spaced walls to define a coin passageway, an accepted coin chute, a rejected coin chute, and a separator intermediate said accepted coin chute and said rejected coin chute, the improvement which comprises a deflector that has a portion thereof disposed in said coin passageway to receive and deflect coins or slugs which pass through said coin passageway without substantial retardation, an element that has a portion thereof disposed in said coin passageway to intercept and feel parts of the peripheries of coins or slugs moving through said coin passageway, said coin passageway causing coins or slugs therein to move toward said element in a predetermined direction, and supporting means for said element, said portion of said element being eccentric of said supporting means so coins or slugs engaging said portion of said element apply substantial rotative moments to said element and cause said portion of said element to move generally in said predetermined direction as said coins or slugs engage said portion of said element, said portion of said element being positioned to be engaged by the periphery of a coin or slug moving through said coin passageway and being movable out of the path of said coin or slug by said coin or slug, said portion of said element feeling part of the periphery of said coin or slug as said coin or slug moves said portion of said element out of the path of said coin or slug, said portion of said element applying a speed-retarding force to any coin or slug, which does not have milling at the periphery thereof, as said portion of said element feels the periphery of said coin or slug but said retarding force being unable to materially reduce the speed of said coin or slug, whereby said coin or slug will move past said portion of said element without substantial retardation of said coin or slug and engage said deflector, said portion of said element applying a speed-retarding force to a coin, which has milling at the periphery thereof, as said portion of said element feels the periphery of said coin and said retarding force materially reducing the speed of said coin, whereby said coin will move past said portion of said element with substantial retardation and not engage said deflector, said separator coacting with said element to direct the slower-moving coin which has milling at the periphery thereof to said accepted coin chute and coacting with said element and said deflector to direct the faster-moving coin or slug which does not have milling at the periphery thereof to said rejected coin chute, said element being mounted on a pivoted lever, said lever responding to engagement of said portion of said element by the periphery of a coin or slug to rotate and thereby permit said portion of said element to move out of the path of said coin or slug, said lever moving a predetermined distance Whenever said portion of said element is engaged by the periphery of a coin which has milling at the periphery thereof, said lever moving a greater distance whenever said portion of said element is engaged by the periphery of a coin or slug which does not have milling at the periphery thereof.

6. In a coin-handling device which has spaced walls to define a coin passageway, an accepted coin chute, a rejected coin chute, and a separator intermediate said accepted coin chute and said rejected coin chute, the im provement which comprises a deflector that has a portion thereof disposed in said coin passageway to receive and deflect coins or slugs which pass through said coin passageway without substantial retardation, an element that has a portion thereof disposed in said coin passageway to intercept and feel parts of the peripheries of coins or slugs moving through said coin passageway, said coin passageway causing coins or slugs therein to move toward said element in a predetermined direction, and supporting means for said element, said portion of said element being eccentric of said supporting means so coins or slugs engaging said portion of said element apply substantial rotative moments to said element and cause said portion of said element to move generally in said predetermined direction as said coins or slugs engage said portion of said element, said portion of said element being positioned to be engaged by the periphery of a coin or slug moving through said coin passageway and being movable out of the path of said coin or slug by said coin or slug, said portion of said element feeling part of the periphery of said coin or slug as said coin or slug moves said portion of said element out of the path of said coin or slug, said portion of said element applying a speed-retarding force to any coin or slug, which does not have milling at the periphery thereof, as said portion of said element feels the periphery of said coin or slug but said retarding force being unable to materially reduce the speed of said coin or slug, whereby said coin or slug will move past said portion of said element without substantial retardation of said coin or slug and engage said deflector, said portion of said element applying a speed-retarding force to a coin, which has milling at the periphery thereof, as said portion of said element feels the periphery of said coin and said retarding force materially reducing the speed of said coin, whereby said coin will move pastsaid portion of said element with substantial retardation and not engage said deflector, said separator coacting with said element to direct the slower-moving coin which has milling at the periphery thereof to said accepted coin chute and coacting with said element and said deflector to direct the fastermoving coin or slug which does not have milling at the periphery thereof to said rejected coin chute, said element being rotatably secured to a pivoted lever, said lever responding to engagement of said portion of said element by the periphery of a coin or slug to rotate and thereby permit said portion of said element to move out of the path of said coin or slug, said element moving with said pivoted lever and also rotating relative to said pivoted lever as said portion of said element is engaged and moved by the periphery of a coin or slug.

7. In a coin-handling device which has spaced Walls to define a coin passageway, an accepted coin chute, a rejected coin chute, and a separator intermediate said accepted coin chute and said rejected coin chute, the improvement which comprises a deflector that has a portion thereof disposed in said coin passageway to receive and deflect coins or slugs which pass through said coin passageway without substantial retardation, an element that has a portion thereof disposed in said coin pas sageway to intercept and feel parts of the peripheries of coins or slugs moving through said coin passageway, said coin passageway causing coins or slugs therein to move toward said element in a predetermined direction, and supporting means for said element, said portions of said element being eccentric of said supporting means so coins or slugs engaging said portion of said element apply substantial rotative moments to said element and cause said portion of said element to move generally in said predetermined direction as said coins or slugs engage said portion of said element, said portion of said element being positioned to be engaged by the periphery of a coin or slug moving through said coin passage- Way and being movable out of the path of said coin or slug by said coin or slug, said portion of said element feeling part of the periphery of said coin or slug as said coin or slug moves said portion of said element out of the path of said coin or slug, said portion of said element applying a speed-retarding force to any coin or slug, which does not have milling at the periphery thereof, as said portion of said element feels the periphery of said coin or slug but said retarding force being unable to materially reduce the speed of said coin or slug, whereby said coin or slug will move past said portion of said element without substantial retardation of said coin or slug and engage said deflector, said portion of said element applying a speed-retarding force to a coin, which has milling at the periphery thereof, as said portion of said element feels the periphery of said coin and said retarding force materially reducing the speed of said coin, whereby said coin will move past said portion of said element with substantial retarda- 21 tion and not engage said deflector, said separator coacting with said element to direct the slower-moving coin which has milling at the periphery thereof to said accepted coin chute and coacting with said element and said deflector to direct the faster-moving coin or slug which does not have milling at the periphery thereof to said rejected coin chute, a runway which supports coins and slugs as said coins and slugs approach said portion of said element, said element being disposed beyond the trailing edge of said runway, whereby a coin or slug is immediately adjacentand is supported by said trailing edge of said runway as said coin or slug engages and moves said element, said portion of said element being disposed beyond the trailing edge of said runway but short of said portion of said deflector, whereby a coin or slug must engage said portion of said element before is can engage said portion of said deflector.

8. In a coin-handling device which has spaced walls to define a coin passageway, an accepted coin chute, a rejected coin chute, and a separator intermediate said accepted coin chute and said rejected coin chute, the improvement which comprises a deflector that has a portion thereof disposed in said coin passageway to receive and deflect coins or slugs which pass through said coin passageway without substantial retardation, an element that has a portion thereof disposed in said coin passageway to intercept and feel parts of the peripheries of coins or slugs moving through said coin passageway, said passageway causing coins or slugs therein to move toward said element in a predetermined direction, and supporting means for said element, said portion of said element being eccentric of said supporting means so coins or slugs engaging said portion of said element apply substantial rotative moments to said element and cause said portion of said element to move generally in said predetermined direction as said coins or slugs engage said portion of said element, said portion of said element being positioned to be engaged by the periphery of a coin or slug moving through said coin passageway and being movable out of the path of said coin or slug by said coin or slug, said portion of said element feeling part of the periphery of said coin or slug as said coin or slug moves said portion of said element out of the path of said coin or slug, said portion of said element applying a speed-retarding force to any coin or slug, which does not have milling at the periphery thereof, as said portion of said element feels the periphery of said coin or slug but said retarding force being unable to materially reduce the speed of said coin or slug, whereby said coin or slug will move past said portion of said element without substantial retardation of said coin or slug and engage said deflector, said portion of said element applying a speed-retarding force to a coin, which has milling at the periphery thereof, as said portion of said element feels the periphery of said coin and said retarding force materially reducing the speed of said coin, whereby said coin will move past said portion of said element with substantial retardation and not engage said deflector, said separator coacting with said element to direct the slower-moving coin which has milling at the periphery thereof to said' accepted coin chute and coacting with said element and said deflector to direct the faster-moving coin or slug which does not have milling at the periphery thereof to said rejected coin chute, said element being rotatable and said portion of said element being the periphery of said element, said periphery of said element having milling thereon which is complementary to the milling at the periphery of said coin which has milling at the periphery thereof.

9. In a coin-handling device which has spaced walls to define a coin passageway, an accepted coin chute, a rejected coin chute, and a separator intermediate said accepted coin chute and said rejected coin chute, the improvement which comprises a deflector that has a portion thereof disposed in said coin passageway to receive and deflect coins or slugs which pass through said coin passageway without substantial retardation, an element that has a portion thereof disposed in said coin passageway to intercept and feel parts of the peripheries of coins or slugs moving through said coin passageway, said coin passageway causing coins or slugs therein to move toward said element in a predetermined direction, and supporting means for said element, said portion of said element being eccentric of said supporting means so coins or slugs engaging said portion of said element apply substantial rotative moments to said element and cause said portion of said element to move generally in said predetermined direction as said coins or slugs engage said portion of said element, said portion of said element being positioned to be engaged by the periphery of a coin or slug moving through said coin passageway and being movable out of the path of said coin or slug by said coin or slug, said portion of said element feeling part of the periphery of said coin or slug as said coin or slug moves said portion of said element out of the path of said coin or slug, said portion of said element applying a speed-retarding force to any coin or slug, which does not have milling at the periphery thereof, as said portion of said element feels the periphery of said coin or slug but said retarding force being unable to materially reduce the speed of said coin or slug, whereby said coin or slug will move past said portion of said element without substantial retardation of said coin or slug and engage said deflector, said portion of said element applying a speed-retarding force to a coin, which has milling at the periphery thereof, as said portion of said element feels the periphery of said coin and said retarding force materially reducing the speed of said c-oin, whereby said coin will move past said portion of said element with substantial retardation and not engage said deflector, said separator coacting with said element to direct the slower-moving coin which has milling at the periphery thereof to said accepted coin chute and coacting with said element and said deflector to direct the faster-rnoving coin or slug which does not have milling at the periphery thereof to said rejected coin chute, said element being a rotatable disc that has milling at the periphery thereof which is complementary to the milling at the periphery of said coin which has milling at the periphery thereof, and said element being both rotated and moved by coins or slugs moving through said coin passageway, said milling at the periphery of said element meshing with the milling at the periphery of coins having milling at the peripheries thereof but riding up and over the peripheries of coins and slugs that do not have milling at the peripheries thereof.

10. In a coin-handling device which has spaced walls to define a coin passageway, an accepted coin chute, a rejected coin chute, and a separator intermediate said accepted coin chute and said rejected coin chute, the improvement which comprises a deflector that has a portion thereof disposed in said coin passageway to receive and deflect coins or slugs which pass through said coin passageway without substantial retardation, an element that has a portion thereof disposed in said coin passageway to intercept and feel parts of the peripheries of coins or slugs moving through said c-oin passageway, said coin passageway causing coins or slugs therein to move toward said element in a predetermined direction, and supporting means for said element, said portion of said element being eccentric of said supporting means so coins or slugs engaging said portion of said element apply substantial rotative moments to said element and cause said portion of said eleemnt to move generally in said predetermined direction as said coins or slugs engage said portion of said element, said portion of said element being positioned to be engaged by the periphery of a coin or slug moving through said coin passageway and being movable out of the path of said coin or slug by said coin or slug, said portion of said element feeling part of the periphery of said coin or slug as said coin or slug moves said portion of said element out of the path of said coin or slug, said portion of said element applying a speed-retarding force to any coin or slug, which does not have milling at the periphery thereof, as said portion of said element feels the periphery of said coin or slug but said retarding force being unable to materially reduce the speed of said coin or slug, whereby said coin or slug will move past said portion of said element Without substantial retardation of said coin or slug and engage said deflector, said portion of said element applying a speedretarding force to a coin, which has milling at the periphery thereof, as said portion of said element feels the periphery of said coin and said retarding force materially reducing the speed of said coin, whereby said coin will move past said portion of said element with substantial retardation and not engage said deflector, said separator coating with said element to direct the slower-moving coin which has milling at the periphery thereof to said accepted coin chute and coacting with said element and said deflector to direct the faster-moving coin or slug Which does not have milling at the periphery thereof to said rejected coin chute, said portion of said element being a tip which is dimensioned to extend into the spaces between adjacent tooth-like portions of the milling at the peripheries of coins which have milling at the peripheries thereof, said portion of said element being disposed short of said portion of said deflector, whereby a coin or slug must engage said portion of said element before it can engage said portion of said deflector.

11. In a coinl1andling device which has spaced walls to define a coin passageway, an accepted coin chute, a

rejected coin chute, and a separator intermediate said accepted coin chute and said rejected coin chute, the improvement which comprises a deflector that has a portion thereof disposed in said coin passageway to receive and deflect coins or slugs which pass through said coin passageway without substantial retardation, an element that has a portion thereof disposed in said coin passageway to intercept and feel parts of the peripheries of coins or slugs moving through said coin passageway, said coin passageway causing coins or slugs therein to move toward said element in a predetermined direction, and supporting means for said element, said portion of said element being eccentric of said supporting means so coins or slugs engaging said portion of said element apply substantial rotative moments to said element and cause said portion of said element to move generally in said predetermined direction as said coins or slugs engage said portion of said element, said portion of said element being positioned to be engaged by the periphery of a coin or slug moving through said coin passageway and being movable out of the path of said coin or slug by said coin or slug, said portion of said element feeling part of the periphery of said coin or slug as said coin or slug moves said portion of said element out of the path of said coin or slug, said portion of said element applying a speed-retarding force to any coin or slug, which does not have milling at the periphery thereof, as said portion of said element feels the periphery of said coin or slug but said retarding force being unable to materially reduce the speed of said coin or slug, whereby said coin or slug will move past said portion of said element without substantial retardation of said coin or slug and engage said deflector, said portion of said element applying a speed-retarding force to a coin, which has milling at the periphery thereof, as said portion of said element feels the periphery of said coin and said retarding force materially reducing the speed of said coin, whereby said coin will move past said portion of said element with substantial retardation and not engage said deflector, said separator coacting with said element to direct the slower-moving coin which has milling at the periphery thereof to said accepted coin chute and coact ing with said element and said deflector to direct the 24: faster-moving coin or slug which does not have milling at the periphery thereof to said rejected coin chute, said element being a lever pivoted for oscillation toward and away from said path of said coin or slug, a runway in said coin passageway that supports coins and slugs and permits said coins and slugs to rotate as said coins and slugs approach said portion of said element, said portion of said element being biased for movement toward said path for said coin or slug but responding to rotative forces within a coin or slug to move away from said path I for said coin or slug in a direction which is generally the same as the direction of movement of the portion of said coin or slug which engages said portion of said element, said portion of said element being narrow.

12. In a coin-handling device which has spaced walls to define a coin passageway, an accepted coin chute, a rejected coin chute, and a separator intermediate said accepted coin chute and said rejected coin chute, the improvement which comprises a deflector that has a portion thereof disposed in said coin passageway to receive and deflect coins or slugs which pass through said coin passageway without substantial retardation, an element that has a portion thereof disposed in said coin passageway to intercept and feel parts of the peripheries of coins or slugs moving through said coin passageway, said coin passageway causing coins or slugs therein to move toward said element in a predetermined direction, and supporting means for said element, said portion of said element being eccentric of said supporting means so coins or slugs engaging said portion of said element apply substantial rotative moments to said element and cause said portion of said element to move generally in said predetermined direction as said coins or slugs engage said portion of said element, said portion of said element being positioned to be engaged by the periphery of a coin or slug moving through said coin passageway and being movable out of the path of said coin or slug by said coin or slug, said portion of said element feeling part of the periphery of said coin or slug as said coin or slug moves said portion of said element out of the path of said coin or slug, said portion of said element applying a speed-retarding force to any coin or slug, which does not have milling at the periphery thereof, as said portion of said element feels the periphery of said coin or slug but said retarding force being unable to materially reduce the speed of said coin or slug, whereby said coin or slug will move past said portion of said element without substantial retardation of said coin or slug and engage said deflector, said portion of said element applying a speed-retarding force to a coin, which has milling at the periphery thereof, as said portion of said element .feels the periphery of said coin and said retarding force materially reducing the speed of said coin, whereby said coin will move past said portion of said element with substantial retardation and not engage said deflector, said separator coacting with said element to direct the slower-moving coin which has milling at the periphery thereof to said accepted coin chute and coacting with said element and said deflector to direct the faster-moving coin or slug which does not have milling at the periphery thereof to said rejected coin chute, said portion of said element being a tip which is dimensioned to extend into the spaces between adjacent tooth-like portions of the milling at the peripheries of coins which have milling at the peripheries thereof, said portion of said element applying said speed-retarding force in substantially continuous fashion to coins or slugs which do not have milling at the peripheries thereof, and said portion of said element applying said speed-retarding force in the form of individual, consecutive speed-retarding forces to coins which have milling at the peripheries thereof.

13. In a coin-handling device which has spaced walls to define a coin passageway, an accepted coin chute, a rejected coin chute, and a separator intermediate said accepted coin chute and said rejected coin chute, the improvement which comprises a deflector that has a portion thereof disposed in said coin passageway to receive and deflect coins or slugs which pass through said coin passageway without substantial retardation, an element that has a portion thereof disposed in said coin passageway to intercept and feel parts of the peripheries of coins or slugs moving through said coin passageway, said coin passageway causing coins or slugs therein to move toward said element in a predetermined direction, and supporting means for said element, said portion of said element being eccentric of said supporting means so coins or slugs engaging said portion of said element apply substantial rotative moments to said element and cause said portion of said element to move generally in said predetermined direction as said coins or slugs engage said portion of said element, said portion of said element being positioned to be engaged by the periphery of a coin or slug moving through said coin passageway and being movable out of the path of said coin or slug by said coin or slug, said portion of said element feeling part of the periphery of said coin or slug as said coin or slug moves said portion of said element out of the path of said coin or slug, said portion of said element applying a speed-retarding force to any coin or slug, which does not have milling at the periphery thereof, as said portion of said element feels the periphery of said coin or slug but said retarding force being unable to materially reduce the speed of said coin or slug, whereby said coin or slug will move past said portion of said element without substantial retardation of said coin or slug and engage said deflector, said portion of said element applying a speedretarding force to a coin, which has milling at the periphery thereof, as said portion of said element feels the periphery ofsaid coin and said retarding force materially reducing the speed of said coin, whereby said coin will move past said portion of said element with substantial retardation and not engage said deflector, said separator coacting with said element to direct the slower-moving coin which has milling at the periphery thereof to said accepted coin chute and coacting with said element and said deflector to direct the faster-moving coin or slug which does not have milling at the periphery thereof to said rejected coin chute, said element being a spring and said portion of said element being an end of said spring that is dimensioned to extend into the spaces between adjacent tooth-like portions of the milling at the periphcries of coins which have milling at the peripheries thereof.

14. In a coin-handling device which has spaced walls to define a coin passageway, an accepted coin chute, a rejected coin chute, and a separator intermediate said accepted coin chute and said rejected coin chute, the improvement which comprises a deflector that has a portion thereof disposed in said coin passageway to receive and deflect coins or slugs which pass through said coin passageway without substantial retardation, an element that has a portion thereof disposed in said coin passageway to intercept and feel parts of the peripheries of coins or slugs moving through said coin passageway, said coin passageway causing coins or slugs therein to move toward said element in a predetermined direction, and supporting means for said element, said portion of said element being eccentric of said supporting means so coins or slugs engaging said portion of said element apply substantial rotative moments to said element and cause said portion of said element to move generally in said predetermined direction as said coins or slugs engage said portion of said element, said portion of said element being positioned to be engaged by the periphery of a coin or slug moving through said coin passageway and being movable out of the path of said coin or slug by said coin or slug, said portion of said element feeling part of the periphery of said coin or slug as said coin or slug moves said portionof said element out of the path of said coin or slug, said portion of said element applying a speed-retarding force to any coin or slug, which does not have milling at the periphery thereof, as said portion of said element feels the periphery of said coin or slug but said retrading force being unable to materially reduce the speed of said coin or slug, whereby said coin or slug will move past said portion of said element without substantial retardation of said coin or slug and engage said deflector, said portion of said element applying a speed-retarding force to a coin, which has milling at the periphery thereof, as said portion of said element feels the periphery of said coin and said retarding force materially reducing the speed of said coin, whereby said coin will move past said portion of said element with substantial retardation and not engage said deflector, said separator coacting with said element to direct the slower-moving coin which has milling at the periphery thereof to said accepted coin chute and coacting with said element and said deflector to direct the faster-moving coin or slug which does not have milling at the periphery thereof to said rejected coin chute, a runway which supports coins and slugs as said coins and slugs approach said portion of said element, said supporting means enabling said element to rotate and also to translate as it moves in response to forces applied to said portion of said element by the milling at the periphery of said coin which has milling at the periphery thereof.

15. In a coin-handling device which has spaced walls .to define a coin passageway, an accepted coin chute, a rejected coin chute, and a separator intermediate said accepted coin chute and said rejected coin chute, the improvement which comprises a deflector that has a portion thereof disposed in said coin passageway to receive and deflect coins or slugs which pass through said coin passageway without substantial retardation, an element that has a portion thereof disposed in said coin passageway to intercept and feel parts of the peripheries of coins or slugs moving through said coin passageway, said coin passageway causing coins or slugs therein to move toward said element in a predetermined direction, and supporting means for said element, said portion of said element being eccentric of said supporting means so coins or slugs engaging said portion of said element apply substantial rotative moments to said element and cause said portion of said element to move generally in said predetermined direction as said coins or slugs engage said portion of said element, said portion of said element being positioned to be engaged by the periphery of a coin or slug moving through said coin passageway and being movable out of the path of said coin or slug by said coin or slug, said portion of said element feeling part of the periphery of said coin or slug as said coin or slug moves said portion of said element out of the path of said coin or slug, said portion of said element applying a speed-retarding force to any coin or slug, which does not have milling at the periphery thereof, as said portion of said element feels the periphery of said coin or slug but said retarding force being unable to materially reduce the speed of said coin or slug, whereby said coin or slug will move past said portion of said element without substantial retardation of said coin or slug and engage said deflector, said portion of said element applying a speed-retarding force to a coin, which has milling at the periphery thereof, as said portion of said element feels the periphery of said coin and said retarding force materially reducing the speed of said coin, whereby said coin will move past said portion of said element with substantial retardation and not engage said deflector, said separator coacting with said element to direct the slowermoving coin which has milling at the periphery thereof to said accepted coin chute and coacting with said element and said deflector to direct the faster-moving coin or slug which does not have milling at the periphery thereof to said rejected coin chute, a runway which supports coins and slugs as said coins and slugs approach said portion of said element, said element biasing coins and slugs into engagement with the top of said runway as said coins and slugs engage and move said element, said top of said runway having a discontinuous surface thereon to keep coins which have milling at the peripheries thereof from slip ping relative to said runway as said coins are biased into engagement with the top of said runway.

16. The method of separating a coin which has milling at the periphery thereof from coins or slugs which do not have milling at the peripheries thereof which comprises applying yielding retardation forces to all coins or slugs which have milling at the periphery thereof and to all coins or slugs which do not have milling at the peripheries thereof while permitting said coins or slugs to move, applying individual and consecutive yielding retardation forces rather than one substantially continuous yielding retardation force to a coin which has milling at the periphery thereof, and applying one substantially continuous yielding retardation force to a coin or slug which does not have milling at the periphery thereof, whereby a coin or slug which has milling at the periphery thereof will experience a greater retardation in the speed thereof than will be experienced by a coin or slug which does not have milling at the periphery thereof, and subsequently separating the slower-moving coin which has milling at the periphery thereof from the faster-moving coin or slug which does not have milling at the periphery thereof ac cording to the speeds of said coins or slugs by causing said faster-moving coin or slug to engage and be deflected by a deflector.

17. In a coin-handling device which has spaced walls to define a coin passageway, an accepted coin chute, a rejected coin chute, and a separator intermediate said accepted coin chute and said rejected coin chute, the improvement which comprises a deflector that has a portion thereof disposed in said coin passageway to receive and deflect coins or slugs which pass through said coin passageway without substantial retardation, an element that has a portion thereof disposed in said coin passageway to intercept and feel parts of the peripheries of coins or slugs moving through said coin passageway, said coin passageway causing coins or slugs therein to move toward said element in a predetermined direction, and supporting means for said element, said portion of said element being eccentric of said supporting means so coins or slugs engaging said portion of said element apply substantial rotative moments to said element and cause said portion of said element to move generally in said predetermined direction as said coins or slugs engage said portion of said element, said portion of said element being positioned to be engaged by the periphery of a coin or slug moving through said coin passageway and being movable out of the path of said coin or slug by said coin or slug, said portion of said element feeling part of the periphery of said coin or slug as said coin or slug moves said portion of said element out of the path of said coin or slug, said portion of said element applying a speed-retarding force to any coin or slug, which does not have milling at the periphery thereof, as said portion of said element feels the pheriphery of said coin or slug but said retarding force being unable to materially reduce the speed of said coin or slug, whereby said coin or slug will move past said portion of said element without substantial retardation of said coin or slug and engage said deflector, said portion of said element applying a speed-retarding force to a coin, which has milling at the periphery thereof, as said portion of said element feels the periphery of said coin and said retarding force materially reducing the speed of said coin, whereby said coin will move past said portion of said element with substantial retardation and not engage said deflector, said separator coacting with said element to direct the slower-moving coin which has milling at the periphery thereof to said accepted coin chute and coacting with said element and said deflector to direct the faster-moving coin or slug which does not have milling at the periphery thereof to said rejected coin chute, said portion of said element being disposed short of said deflector, whereby a coin or slug must engage said portion of said element before it can engage said ortion of said deflector, said portion of said element moving relative to said supporting means as a coin or slug engages portion of said element.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 447,037 2/1891 Wheeler 194-97 XR 2,505,963 5/1950 Hedenskoog 1931-40 XR 2,822,075 2/ 1958 Haverstick 194-101 3,095,074 6/ 1963 Neidhardt 19340 FOREIGN PATENTS 701,626 12/ 1940 Germany.

242,493 11/ 1925 Great Britain,

292,706 6/1928 Great Britain.

321,842 11/1929 Great Britain.

329,103 5/ 1930 Great Britain.

344,044 3/ 1931 Great Britain.

613,955 12/ 1948 Great Britain.

WALTER SOBIN, Primary Examiner. 

